The Offside Trap

[Fredo]

We don't seem to be playing it anymore. I remember us being fantastic at playing it when Rafa was there and it allowed us to attack and press very efficiently without the fear of conceding a goal on the counter. I think it's one of our main defensive issues at the moment.

Was Swansea using it when Rodgers was there? From what I've seen this season, don't think we're working on it at all in training.

[Arn]

Swansea didn't use it that much. They had a lot of possesion in the own half.

[kalesh]

In the long-term, I think BR wants to play a high-line similar to AVB with full-backs bombing on, split centre-backs and a DM that drops deep to act as a centre-half.

Once we get to this stage, I think the offside trap will form a crucial part of our defensive set-up. However our two current options to partner Agger in defence mean we can't implement this properly. Firstly, Carra is too slow to play a high line. And secondly, Skrtel is not sufficiently comfortable on the ball. He's unwilling - or incapable - of giving Reina the same passing options as Agger does and this forces us to play deeper.

I guess the key characteristics for a new CB will be mobility and distribution, along with being a beast in the air which is another glaring weakness.

[Shaggy]

Agreed. Which makes the interest in Championship lump Williams all the more bewildering.

[RichC]

Are we really interested in Williams though or is it lazy journalism knowing we need centre backs in and Williams having played for him before

[Fredo]

But Carra was part of the defensive set up when Rafa was there. He probably is slower now but he wasn't a high speed merchant even back then.

Even if your game is based on possession, we're never ever going to have 100% possession all game and not be vulnerable to the counter attack. I think this is one of our main issue defensively. Our front 3 with our midfielders press high up the pitch but we leave gaps between our our defence and midfield, making it harder to implement an offside trap system. Defenders don't know when to press or stay. I've noticed that one or two defenders have the instinct to press and play the offside trap but others are left in limbo not knowing when to do that. Bar Enrique, our defensive personnel is the same, so my deduction is that it's not been implemented in training at all.

[Imy]

This is how we conceded yesterday.
The team is just not compact enough and it's a reason why teams seem to be able to get past the midfield with ease.
I think part of the problem is the lack of pace in defence, when you have a big, strong and especially fast forward it's a risk playing a high line.
In the summer we need quick, strong centre backs (ones that can head the ball).

[Fredo]

But my point is, the best way to cater for lack of pace in defence is to play the offside trap, i.e use your defensive line to stop early balls catching you out?

[Fredo]

Carra and Sami weren't the quickest back then.

[Imy]

Carra and Sami weren't the quickest back then.

Do agree, but i don't think thats our primary problem.

For me its the ease in which attacking teams bypass our weak midfield and are straight on to our defence.
I also don't think our centre backs are suited to being attacked like this also, players running at them or high balls raining it (thus the Ashley Williams link).

If we compress the play and press (like what we did better in the second half yesterday) we're stopping the balls at the source as opposed to the point where they are getting in at the defenders.

[Bernardicus]

I think Williams would've come in handy yesterday. He would have won his fair share of the aerial battles with Benteke and I think he would've dealt with the long ball for Benteke's goal. Carra's got a lot of heart but struggled yesterday and has struggled agaist the likes of Benteke and Lukaku.

Re. The Offside Trap, I'd prefer if we didn't try it than if we kept trying it and it kept backfiring, resulting in goals for the opposition. If we can master it, great. Maybe something to work on over summer.

[Muddled]

Williams has won 56% of aerial battles compared to Skrtel's 70% - a player many on here have put at fault for our defensive weaknesses - so I'm not sure he would have coped with Benteke in the air any better than what we did yesterday.

[Bernardicus]

Williams has won 56% of aerial battles compared to Skrtel's 70% - a player many on here have put at fault for our defensive weaknesses - so I'm not sure he would have coped with Benteke in the air any better than what we did yesterday.

Williams would still have been better option than Carragher yesterday, and a better all round defender than Skrtel.

[Muddled]

I think any defender would struggle against Benteke and Carragher equipped himself well. Carragher also did well against the pace of Agbonlahor, therefore we did well yesterday without Williams - a player who has just been shown to be average in the air - and who I think is experiencing a purple patch.

And as for Williams being a better defender than Skrtel, have a gander at this post.

The only thing Williams does better, is concentrate.

[Shaggy]

Williams is not better than Skrtel.